Er3+/ Yb3+ Doped Active Optic Y Splitter Realized by Diffusion Waveguides with Ag+ - Na+ Ion Exchange

Abstract

We reported on the active channel waveguides, formed in novel types of silicate glasses, doped with rare-earth elements, and Zn were investigated. The silicate glass GZ4 with Er 3+ and Yb 3+ content was studied, and the best doping ratio was estimated about luminescent properties. The composition of the glass samples (GZ4) with the content of 0.25 at. % Er 3+ and 5.0 at. % Yb 3+ and Zn 4.0 at. % resp. 5.6 at. % Zn was optimized. This glass was evaluated as the most suitable material for integrated amplifiers in the telecommunication band of 1 530 – 1 565 nm. Other samples were prepared with an active channel waveguides and active planar optical power splitter Y with a splitting ratio of 1x2 by two-step ion-exchange Na + -Ag + . Diffusion profiles of the created samples were analyzed by the EMA microscope and compared with the near mode-field distribution measurement results. Afterward, the amplification properties of the designed structures were studied, and the differential gain from 1.2 to 1.6 dB (0.48 to 0.64 dB/cm) was achieved by pumping 200 mW at 980 nm.